ATHENS, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a collision between a Hellenic Coast Guard (HCG) patrol vessel and a boat carrying migrants and refugees off the coast of Chios Island in the Aegean Sea on Tuesday night has risen to 15, according to local authorities.
Greek national broadcaster ERT reported that one of the 24 migrants rescued and taken to a nearby hospital later died from her injuries. Earlier, the bodies of 14 migrants were recovered from the sea. The victims included 11 men and four women, according to the HCG and health officials.
The accident occurred at approximately 9:00 p.m. local time. Several children were among the injured, as well as two pregnant women, both of whom reportedly suffered miscarriages. Most survivors sustained minor injuries, according to the National Emergency Aid Center.
Search and rescue operations remain ongoing amid concerns that people may still be missing. Four Coast Guard vessels, a private boat carrying volunteer divers, and a Hellenic Air Force helicopter are participating in the operation. ■